Denatured Algal Biomass EOR Fluids for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tertiary oil production, a crucial method for enhanced oil recovery, often operates on thin profit margins and is not economically feasible due to high costs of conventional EOR agents, while existing technologies like microbial EOR are not widely implemented and face environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
Converting algal biomass into production fluids for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using denaturants like sodium hydroxide, citric acid, and urea, which are inexpensive and environmentally friendly, creating a viscous polymeric mixture that enhances oil recovery without emulsification, thus reducing production costs and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional EOR agents are used, then oil recovery effectiveness is improved, but production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive algal biomass as a disposable EOR agent that can be readily degraded and replaced. The biomass is processed into a fluid form and injected into reservoirs to displace oil, then discarded after use without requiring recovery or complex disposal procedures, significantly reducing material costs compared to conventional polymers.
Solution Approach 2:
The algal biomass performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a viscosifier to improve sweep efficiency, provides biodegradability for environmental compliance, and offers carbon sequestration benefits. The natural properties of the biomass require minimal processing or additives, making the system self-sufficient and cost-effective.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If microbial EOR is implemented, then environmental benefits are improved, but reliability and widespread implementation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs readily degradable algal biomass that breaks down naturally in the reservoir environment, eliminating long-term environmental concerns associated with conventional polymers. This biodegradability ensures environmental compliance while maintaining operational reliability through predictable degradation behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of algal biomass through processing into fluid form and controlled denaturation, transforming it from a solid waste product into an effective EOR agent with optimized viscosity and flow properties suitable for reservoir injection, thereby ensuring reliable performance.
3Quantity of substance
If algal biomass is used as EOR fluid, then production cost is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The algal biomass requires minimal processing to be effective as an EOR agent. The natural composition of the biomass provides the necessary viscosifying and surfactant properties, eliminating the need for complex synthesis procedures or expensive chemical additives that would increase manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies controlled denaturation and fluidization to algal biomass to optimize its rheological properties for EOR applications. These parameter changes are achieved through simple processing steps that maintain cost-effectiveness while ensuring the biomass performs reliably as an injection fluid.
4Productivity
If denaturants are added to algal biomass, then EOR effectiveness is improved, but environmental risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses biodegradable denaturants that break down naturally in the reservoir environment, eliminating long-term environmental concerns. These denaturants temporarily modify the biomass properties to enhance EOR effectiveness, then degrade without leaving harmful residues, maintaining environmental safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the potential harm of adding chemical denaturants into a benefit by selecting denaturants that enhance biomass effectiveness while simultaneously providing biodegradability. The denaturants serve a useful function during injection but then naturally degrade, converting a potential environmental risk into an environmental benefit through carbon sequestration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of denatured algal biomass as EOR fluids achieves significant oil recovery with minimal environmental risk and cost, offering a carbon offset benefit and potential for carbon tax reduction, while being more economically viable than traditional EOR methods.
Implementation Method 1
algal biomass modified by a variety of denaturants has been quantified along with the rheology and the pH
Implementation Method 2
Correlations between these properties, the denaturant type and concentration, and the EOR effects are provided
Data Source
AI summary
Proteinaceous enhanced oil recovery operates on the principle that proteins can be denatured using chemicals to break them down into a viscous polymeric mixture that exhibits an EOR effect. In one or more embodiments, the proteins in question are sourced from an algae (spirulina) meal, which could be obtained as a waste product from wastewater treatment or bioprocessing operations, including biofuel production where the lipids are extracted for fuel but the large volumes of proteins are considered a waste material with little or negative value. In other embodiments, other biomasses are used, especially edible biomasses, thereby mitigating public resistance to drilling operations due to concerns of perceived toxicity of chemicals. This also mitigates legal liability from the use of chemicals that are known to be toxic. Additionally, the agents are denatured biomasses that have not undergone expensive purification or separation steps. This will make these agents highly cost competitive. And, because there is no separation or purification, there are no wastes or byproducts from the synthesis to be disposed of. This also reduces costs compared to competitors.